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Hardware for Shelves on Concrete and Drywall

Take a few moments to determine just what will go on the shelves. The object is to build a shelf wide enough for the objects being stored. Not only that, why build shelves that waste vertical space? If the objects being stored are a consistent or close height, then let's only leave an inch or two of space above them before the next shelf, not three to five inches!

Basement Shelves on Concrete Walls

I have extensive shelves on concrete walls. All I did was attach CCA treated lumber 2x2's on the concrete wall using my two nail technique. Then I ripped a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 CDX plywood into three shelves - 15 7/8 inch x 8 feet. I then attached a 2x3 on edge to the front of each shelf as a stiffening apron. This helps to keep the shelf from sagging. Then at each end I installed a vertical 2x4 from the floor to the ceiling. I screwed through this 2x4 into the 2x3 apron. It helps to add one additional vertical standard at the middle of the system for strength. These shelves are very strong!

Drywall Shelves

I have had the best luck using metal shelf standards. Books are enormously heavy. If you try to rely on drywall itself, you are making a grave mistake. Design your shelf system to attach to the wall studs behind the drywall. The key is to install the vertical standards perfectly level. If the standards are out of level, the shelves will be also.

The metal shelf standards come in different finishes. The shelf brackets can be adjusted for different heights every inch or so. Different width brackets are available that will fit on the same standard. You can have shelves that stagger inward as they get higher on the wall.